Lighting-fixture.



G. M. BEARDSLEE.

LIGHTING FIXTURE.

APPLICATION HLED MAR. 20. 1916.

1 ,239,556 Patented Sept. 11, 1917.

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GEORGE M. BEARDSLEE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR 1'0 BEARDSLEECHANIDE- LIER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

LIGHTING-FIXTURE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 11, 191?.

Applicationfiled March 20, 1916. Serial No. 85,268.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that ll, GEORGE M. BEARDSLEE, a citizen'of the UnitedStates, and resident of Chicago, in the county of Cookand State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in-LightingFixtures, of which the following is a description, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of myspecification.

My invention relates to a lighting fixture more especially intended forcommercial and industrial purposes, which, for example, may employ the.-500 watt lamp known as the new type C or nitrogen gasfilled lamp, andhas for its object the pro-' ,vision of a unit more particularly adaptedfor semi-direct or indirect lighting, permitting the use of a lamp ofthe character mentioned, which, however, could-not otherwise be employedbecause of its excessive brilliancy; the invention providing fixtureelements which may also be employed in connection with direct lightingunits.

A further object'of the invention 'is the provision of a fixture or unitwherein the respective elements comprising the'fixture or unit are soconstructed and arranged that when employed especially for semi-directlighting, the unsightly shadows usually encountered with semi-directlighting fixtures, as heretofore employed, will be entirely eliminated;at the same time providing a construction wherein the rays of lightwill' be so refracted and also reflected that a general' or uniformdifiusion of light will be ob-. tained on all sides of the fixture.

The invention contemplates a lighting unit which will be substantiallydust and insect proof, and yet at thesame time enableproper ventilationbeing obtained intermediate of the respective elements constituting.

the unit; the invention providing a lighting fixture or unit which maybe easily assembled or dismantled, and one which is comparativelyinexpensive in manufacture.

The advantages and objects of my invention will be more fullycomprehended from the following detailed description of the accompanyingdrawing, wherein Figure 1 is a partial side elevation and partialcentral sectional view of my improved fixture.

Fig. 2 is a detail bottom plan view of the upper or metallic portions ofthe fixture, to-

wit of the holder and lamp-socket of the fixture; 1n other words, withthe translucent members and the lamp of the unit removed.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional'view of the top member or husk and thereflector-holder with the socket and reflector-holding yoke or membershown in section and side elevation; the figure illustrating a modifiedform of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a partial sectional and perspectlve view of another modifiedform of holder or yoke for holding the lamp-socket, reflector and thetranslucent reflector or shadeholder.

In the particular exemplification of the invention, it is shown in Fig.1 in the nature of a lighting unit known as a semi-direct fixture,comprising a top attaching cap 10, of suitable material; the cap 10,illustrated in Fig. 1, being of cast metal and provided 'with thescrew-receiving portions or lugs 11 and 12. The cap 10, in theconstruction shown in Fig. 1, is provided with a tapped opening 13,which may receive any suitable means for securing or suspending thelighting fixture or unit in place; the fixture or unit being especiallyintended to be suspended from ceilings and the like by any suitablemeans, as, for example, loops or ring-plugs of the construction shown.

The cap 10 receives the socket-member or lamp-holder 14, to which theelectric wires or conductors are secured; the socket 14 be ing of theusual non-conducting material, such as porcelain at the like. The leadwires are adapted to extend through the suitable screws 15 which takeinto the portion or lugs 11 in the upper part of the cap. The socket orholder 14 receives the lamp 16 in the usual manner.

Removably secured to the port ons or lugs 12 of top cap 10 is areflector or g obe holder 17 the holder being secured to the lugs 12 ofcap 10 by means of suitable screws 18'. The lugs 12, like lugs 11, arepreferably disposed at diametrically opposite points so as to leaveintervening spaces between the lugs, as is evident from the bottom planview illustrated in Fig. 2, thus permitting a circulation of air throughthe upper portion or? the fixture; and in order to prevent thepossibility of direct rays of light being visible or from passing outbetween the holder 17 and the lower part of cap 10, the latter ispreferably skirted or flared, as shown at 19, so as to depend below theattaching lugs 18 and therefore extend below the upper end of holder 17.By flaring the lower end of cap 10, as shown at '19, an interveningspace is provided for the passage of air.

The holder 17, in the construction shown in Fig. 1, like the cap 10, ismade of cast metal and formed so as to provide the lower enlarged rim orflange portion 20 adapted to receive the upper outwardly curled orturned top of the main reflector 21.

The main reflector 21 is preferably made of translucent material adaptedto reflect downwardly, the direct rays of light issuing from the lamp16, as well as to diffuse the light above and to the sides of thefixture.

The main reflector 21 is removably held in the holder 17 by means ofsuitable set screws 22 of which any suitable number may be employed,disposed circumferentially about the flare of the holder 17, asillustrated in Fig. 2.

The main reflector 21 is preferably made flaring toward its bottom asshown, so as to extend a considerable distance beyond the sides of theglobe 23.

The globe 23 is preferably formed of a single piece of glass with thelower portion made substantially semispherical or convex and preferablycoated with a diffusing enamel finish so as to be translucent; while theupper portion of the shade is preferably of clear glass andsubstantially bellshape providing a reverse curvature immediately abovethe lower globe portion.

The coated translucent surface of the inner concaved sides, disposedtoward the lighting element of the lamp 16, in addition to difi'usingthe light, also reflects the rays of light onto the main reflector 21.

The upper clear glass portion of globe 23 presents a convex surfacetoward and in close proximity to the lighting element of lamp 16, whichproduces an effect somewhat similar to that of a lens, whereby the raysof light are converged toward the upper part of the main reflector 21;the main reflector 21 being either of opal or opaque glass, or providedwith a coated translucent surface, so as to both reflect and diffuse therays of light.

The globe 23 is preferably removably held in place by means of theset-screws 24 which extend through the flange or rim portion 20 of theholder 17, as shown in Fig. 1, so as to be supported independently ofmain reflector member 21. Any suitable number of set-screws 24 may beemployed; the set screws 22 and therefore arranged above the upperportion of main reflector 21". The screws 24 take into thecircumferential groove surrounding the upper part of globe 23, and arepreferably arranged in an alternate relation with the set screws 22, asshown in Fig. 2.

Surrounding the upper or stem portion .of the lamp 16, I provide aninterior reflector 25,- preferably of sheet metal having dished sides soas to provide the concaved surface intermediate of the lower end and theupper attaching end; the interior reflector being somewhat in the natureof an inverted truncated cone. The interior reflector 25 is preferablyso arranged that its upper end is substantially in the same plane as thetop of main reflector 21, with the curvature of the sides of interiorreflector 25 arranged to reflect the rays of light downwardly andoutwardly in a. diverging manner; theinterior reflector 25being-preferably provided with a coating of white enamel.

The upper circumferential edge of the in terior reflector 25 is showncurled or curved inwardly to provide the rim shown at 26 in Fig. 1,adapted to receive the free ends of the brackets 27, 27 which aresecured by means of the screws 18 to the cap 10, namely the same screwswhich fasten the holder 17 to the cap 10.

The globe 23 is preferably provided with a ventilating opening 23 in thebottom thereof to permit air to pass upwardly therethrough. The lamp 16is preferably so arranged as to bring its lighting element a slightdistance beneath the juncture of the concaved clear glass portion andthe convexed or rounded portion of globe 23 and therefor in the coatedportion of the globe so that no direct or undiffused rays of light maypass to the outside of the fixture.

With the construction shown'in Fig. 1, it is apparent that a fixture orlighting unit is provided especially intended for semi-direct lightingwhereby no direct rays of light can be discerned, as the translucentportion of the globe 23, namely the lower substantially semi-sphericalportion of the globe, and the flare or depth of the main reflector, aswell as the lighting element of lamp 16, are so correlated that thelighting element of the lamp will not be visible. The construction orformation of the respective members, as well as the method of securingthem together, result in a fixture free from the objection found in thesemi-direct light ing fixtures as heretofore constructed because of theunsightly shadows thrown on the ceiling and side walls, due to theconstruction and method of assembling, necessitating the employment, insuch fixtures, of supporting rods or chains.

In Fig. 3 I show a modification of my invention wherein the cap 10,instead of besis . ing of east metal, consists either of stamped orspunsheet metal; the cap being skirted or flared at the bottom, as shown at19*, illustrating in this respect another form; the cap being bell-shapeand thus providing an air-space intermediate of the reflector holdingportions of the fixture and the cap.

inwardly as shown at 28, so as to retain or hold the comparatively-thickband or ring .29 of suitable material, which is provided with suitabletapped holes for the set-screws 22 and 24, whereby the main reflector 21and the globe 23 are secured in place.-

The upper end of holder 17 is provided with the inwardly presented andhorizontally disposed circumferential flange 29 about the centralopening in the holder 17". This flange, at diametrically oppositepoints, is provided with'sockets 30 of a width less than the width ofthe major portion of the strap or yoke 31. At points coincident with thesockets 30, the strap or yoke 31, is cut away-or notched on both edgesof each leg of the yoke or strap 31,'which permits the strap or yoke 31to enter the sockets in the flange 29 in the manner shown at 35 in Fig.4. v

The strap or yoke 31 is preferably made of spring metal so that the sideportions or legs of the yoke may be compressed and allowed to springinto the sockets .30; the yoke or strap, in so far as the constructionjust described is concerned, being identical with the strap or yoke 31shown in Fig. 4. The distance between the upper portions of the legs ofthe strap or yoke is such as to permit the socket or lamp-holder 14 tobe laced within the yoke so as to fit more or ess firmlyin place, andthus prevent impropercontraction of the side portions of the strap oryoke while the socket 14 is in place, so that the yoke or strap will bemain-- tained in holding relation with reflector or globe holder 17.

The upper central portion of the oke 31 is made sufliciently heavy orburre at the point 32 so as to permit'the same to be tapped to receivethe threaded end of the plug-portion of the attaching or suspendililoop-member 33, which, inturn, is adapt to receive the usual supportingchains or other suitable means. The plug or stemortion of the attachingloop-member 33 s, of course, provided with an opening extendingcentrally therethrough for the pas-' sage of the electric wires whichare secured to the respective contact points or terminals in the socket14.

The yoke or strap- 31, on its sides slightly beneath the'top thereof, isshown stamped out so as to permit these portions to be bent .yoke 31shown in Fig.

or globe holder 1 inwardly to provide the lugs 34, 34. The lugs 34, 34are provided with threaded openings to receive the screws 15*, 15whereby the socket 14 is secured in place.

The yoke 31, in Fig. 3, is shown partially in section and partially inside elevation; and the lower ends of the yoke or strap 31 are bentoutwardly to engage with the curled -or inturned upper edge 26 of theinterior reflector 25; reflector 25 being in the nature of a band orshell so as to permit the neck-portion or stem of the lamp 16 to passtherethrough and be screwed into the socket 14. The interior reflector25 is secured in place by springing the ends of the yoke or strap 31 toether, in order to permit the lower bent en s to spring or snap beneaththe inturned or upper edge 26, as will be readily understood.

By providing the yoke or strap 31 with the threaded opening at the topto receive the threaded stem or plug of the suspending member 33, it isevident that the cap 10 will be firmly held in lace when. the loopmember33 is screwed into the yoke, as shown in Fig. 3; the yoke 31, in thisconstruction, bemg made to carry the entire fixture or unit.

It will be understood, of course, that the fixture illustrated in Fig. 3contemplates the employment of a main reflector 21 and globe 23,constructed and arranged to provide the shadowless lighting effectobtained with the construction disclosed in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 4, I illustrate another modified form of strap or yoke 31; thegeneral construction of the yoke being similar to the 3, except that theyoke 31 is not stampe outso as to provide the lugs 34. The yoke 31is'provided with the slots or notched portions, as indicated at 35=similar to yoke 31 so. as to permit the yoke to be s rung or forced intothe grooves formed in t e to flange 29 of the reflector i, as previouslydescribed. As is clearly evident from the construction shown in Fig. 4,where a portion of the holder 17 is broken away, so as to more clearlyillustrate the relation between it and the yoke 31, displacement of theholder 17 is impossible with the yoke or strap 31 in its normal expandedcondition. The top of the yoke is provided with a threaded opening, likethe yoke shown in Fig. 3, .to receive a suitable attaching element, likethe loopmember 33 shown inFig. 3. The lampholder'or socket in thisconstruction, is to be secured to the cross-member 36 by means of theusual screws which take into the tapped holes 37 in the cross-member 36on opposite sides of the central opening 38 through which the lead linesor electric the construction shown in Fig. 3, contemplates theemployment of a cap like the cap 10 in Fig. 3, held in place by thestrap or yoke 31 and the suspending or attaching means adapted to screwinto the tapped opening at 32; and the reflector or, globe holder l7 'isalso intended to support both the main I eflector 21 and fthe' globe 23as in the previoiisly described constructions.

My inventlon, as herein shown and de scribed, provides a lightingfixture or unit whereby the rays of light are diffused and reflected inthe most advantageous manner without producing objectionable shadowsbecause of. the formation and method-of securing the elements or partstogether; while at the same time the lamp or l ghting element isinclosed in a dust-proof globe which permits of ample ventilation there"through and throu hout the attaching portions or members 0 the'fixture.In myimproved constructions, the lamp, reflectors and globe are allsupported, directly or' indirectly, by a single member of the fixture,towit either by the top cap, or by the strap or yo e; the lamp-receivinsocket orholder being secured wlthin the xture; while thelight-receiving surfaces of the various members of'the fixture are soformed and correlated that all direct r'ays of light will either berefleetedor dilfused and the lighting element madeinvisible.

I have shown and described what I believe to bethe simplest and bestforms of my invention, butthe same may vbe altered in certain detailswithout, however, depart ing from the spirit of my invention.

' What I claim is:- 1. In a fixture of the class described, a yoke ofresilient metal provided with an opening in the top adapted to receiveasuspending member,while the depending sides at intermediate points areadapted to support a refleetorolding member when the yoke is in ex andedcondition, said yoke being provide with m ans transversely disposed inthe upper part thereof intermediate of thesides for the attachment of anelectric lam socket, while the lower'ends of the yoke-si' es terminatein outwardly presented reflector-engaging portions. 1 2. In a fixture ofthe Iclass described, a y k form s to P o d tw d en n 'fiector holding'member of a' lig li legs, the legs being formed to support a globe andreflector holding'member while, thelow'er ends of the'legs' areadaptedfto support a supplemental reflector, the upper portion of said yokebeing provided with means for securingan electr c lamp-socket orjholder'between the legs of the yoke and arranged to permit thepassageofthe electric wires therethrough. Y L

I a fixture of'the class'described, a yoke of resilientmaterial bent soas to provid tw d p 'i 'g l e l t po me me a s t i s. b in r ng dtosup'p'ort a "globe' and"reflector holding member, while the lower endsof the legs are formed to support a supplementalrefleetor, said yokebeing adapted toreceiv'e an electric larnp socket between the legs andformed to provide attaching points therefor, while the top or bowedportion of said yoke istapped toreceive a supporting element.

4.111 a fixture of the class described,*the combinat on of a gleb ld' ad an inner fl tbf; i h a up h ldi g me of" resilient material adapted tosupport'b'oth the globe holder and said reflector," said h ld n me bbeing P o ed W t Mi peni g is p o th passage we tri e wires and the mens whei'eby "the fixture i 1 .5 end d n p ce-th e r b n al provi: edwith" transversely disposed means between its side and adj ac qr the topthere of'adapted to receive an electric lamp holder between thedepending sides whereby" the sides of said holding member are helddisended n in supp t a th aid globe-'holder'andsaid'inner reflectors]5'. 'In'a fixture of theclass' described, the combination of a socketand areflec t ippei'ti membe em d "o a t p 105 of re e t mea b t b fie'rti lly nw uhep d Pibvid wi h i P i t to'p to receive thefixture-suspending means an el c ri wi e l a n e e th ep ndinglegs ofisei m mber beifigp 110 vided with supporting surfaces at pointsintermediate "of'theends' of the legs" and'atv the lewer ends thereof,with a. globe and reflst l hfbldi m fi fi Pf 1 with gagingslirfaesoerrelated to the surfaces on the intermediate 'portionsof' the legs ofsaid fir fifi "Qfld fliPP I-"fih'g ie m n a li r emntal r file tb 'p'rvid wi n' s ring" urfacesad pte Q brew by the I supporting at the endsof the legs of said first mentioned sup ertin member.6;In.combinatiodwitht e lo e and re- 'ting fixture,

an inverted Ll-shtipe' resilient member adapted to passthroiigh' saidglobeaiid reflectore in membe we xpa d i balding nga'gemefit h ei i aire il ent memher be n rre i mp-sa e" ar f g m an ad a en theme have- Pip?! her 1 7. In a lighting fixture of theclass described, thecombination of a globe and reflector-holding member open at top andbottom' and provided with an inwardly disposedflange about the open top,with an inverted U-shape resilient member adapted to pass through theopen top of said holding member and form holding engagement with theflange of said holding member when the resilient member is in expandedcondition, the upper bowed portion of said resilient member beingprovided with a tapped opening to receive a suspending element and topermit passage of electric wires therethrough, said resilient memberbeing pro- I vided with means intermediate of its side lint portionsfor'the attachment of an electric lamp-holdin socket.

8. In com ination with a globe-holding member of a lighting fixture, aninverted U- shape resilient member adapted to pass through saidglobe-holding member and expanded into holding engagement therewith,said resilient member being provided with lamp-socket attaching meansadjustably mounted between the side portions or legs adjacent theupperbowed portion of said resilient member.

GEORGE M. BEARDSLEE.

Witnesses:

F. LEE FARMER BENJAMIN P. GEORGE.

